Visa Information

INFORMATION ON ENTRY VISA OR PASSES TO ZANZIBAR IN THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

Entry Requirements

Foreigners seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania should be in possession of a valid passport.  The passport is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point: border station, airport, harbour.  The passport must be presented along with one of the following:

·        A valid visa

·        A resident permit

·        A pass

N.B: A visitor must also present an onward or return ticket together with proof that the visitor has sufficient funds to support himself or herself while in Tanzania

Those Who Require Visa

All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived.

Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, or India.

Types of Visa

There are five types of visa valid for entry into Tanzania:

·        Ordinary Visa

An ordinary visa is issued at any Tanzanian mission abroad.  It enables the holder to be granted a visitor’s pass at any entry point (border, airport, harbour).  However, a person coming from a country where there is no Tanzanian mission or where it is reasonably distant shall be issued a visa at the entry point in Tanzania.

·        Business Visa

The business visa is issued to prospective investors who intend to visit Tanzania for such purposes as making feasibility studies, establishing professional and business contacts, and making arrangements for investments during the startup period.  The validity of the visa can vary from one month to six months.  The fees for the visa are determined administratively, so it is advised that prospective investors consult the appropriate authorities before making application for visas.

·        Multiple-Entry Visa

Foreigners who, because of their business or investments, need to make frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania are issued multiple-entry visas.  Their validity ranges from one month to a year.  Applications for multiple-entry visas are usually submitted by local contacts on behalf of the applicants.  The fees for the visa are determined administratively; so-it is advised that prospective investors consult the appropriate authorities before making application for visas.

·        Referred Visa

The referred visa is one that requires special clearance or permission from the Director of Immigration Services in Dar es Salaam or the Principal Immigration Officer in Zanzibar.  This type of visa is required for nationals of Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Somalia and for Refugees, stateless people and other nationalities as may be specified from time to time by the authorities.  People affected by this regulation may make enquiries at the nearest Tanzania mission abroad.

·        Transit Visa

A transit visa is a permission to cross Tanzania from one entry point to another and is for people whose purpose in entering Tanzania is simply to pass through without visiting.  It is issued for a maximum of two weeks.

Delegates are to process their own visas at the Tanzanian Embassy in their respective countries or nearest country.

If required, an invitation letter from AFSTA Secretariat may be requested to complete your visa application.

We look forward to seeing you at the congress.